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Peralta starting to get in the swing of things

Peralta starting to get in the swing of things

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ST. PETERSBURG -- Jhonny Peralta said he's playing like he did last year, when he barely missed a .300 season to go with 21 homers and 86 RBIs. He's far off pace for all of those numbers this year, but he feels like he's poised for a better second half.

Peralta's three hits Wednesday against Texas raised his June average to .307 (23-for-75). He has nine extra-base hits for the month, but none of them are home runs. He hasn't homered since May 29 in Boston.

He has had a handful of drives to the warning track for outs. By contrast, his three hits Wednesday were all easy drives off Roy Oswalt, including a two-run double to left in the fifth inning.

"I'm still the same guy," Peralta said. "I know what I have. I feel the same this year. The only difference is I hit some balls good, but straight at somebody."